Pinnacle Peak
Pinnacle Peak (left) seen with Pyramid Peak from Paul Bunyans Stump
Highest point
Elevation7,360 ft (2,240 m)[1]
Prominence400 ft (120 m)[1]
Parent peakPaul Bunyans Stump 7,480+ ft[1]
Coordinates48°40′17″N 121°08′59″W / 48.671388°N 121.149695°W / 48.671388; -121.149695[1]
Geography
Pinnacle Peak is located in Washington (state)
Pinnacle Peak
Pinnacle Peak
Location in Washington
Pinnacle Peak is located in the United States
Pinnacle Peak
Pinnacle Peak
Pinnacle Peak (the United States)
LocationNorth Cascades National Park
Whatcom County
Washington, U.S.
Parent rangeNorth Cascades
Cascade Range
Topo mapUSGS Diablo Dam
Climbing
Easiest routeNorth Ridge Scramble (class 3) [2]

Pinnacle Peak is a 7,360+ ft (2,240+ m) mountain summit in the North Cascades Range of Washington, United States.[3] It is located within North Cascades National Park, between Pyramid Peak and Paul Bunyans Stump, which is the nearest higher peak. It rises steeply from Diablo Lake, one of the reservoirs on the Skagit River. It is part of a group of peaks that form the northern end of a chain running south through climbing destinations such as Colonial Peak and Snowfield Peak. Like many North Cascade peaks, Pinnacle Peak is more notable for its large, steep rise above local terrain than for its absolute elevation. Precipitation runoff from the mountain drains into Diablo Lake and Skagit River. The approach is via the Pyramid Lake Trail, starting near Diablo Dam on the North Cascades Highway. From the lake, there is route-finding up Pyramid Arm to Colonial Glacier.

Climate

Pinnacle Peak is located in the marine west coast climate zone of western North America.[4] Most weather fronts originate in the Pacific Ocean, and travel northeast toward the Cascade Mountains. As fronts approach the North Cascades, they are forced upward by the peaks of the Cascade Range, causing them to drop their moisture in the form of rain or snowfall onto the Cascades (Orographic lift). As a result, the west side of the North Cascades experiences high precipitation, especially during the winter months in the form of snowfall.[4] During winter months, weather is usually cloudy, but, due to high pressure systems over the Pacific Ocean that intensify during summer months, there is often little or no cloud cover during the summer.[5] Because of maritime influence, snow tends to be wet and heavy, resulting in high avalanche danger.

Geology

Pinnacle Peak seen from Diablo

The North Cascades features some of the most rugged topography in the Cascade Range with craggy peaks, spires, ridges, and deep glacial valleys. Geological events occurring many years ago created the diverse topography and drastic elevation changes over the Cascade Range leading to the various climate differences.

The history of the formation of the Cascade Mountains dates back millions of years ago to the late Eocene Epoch.[6] With the North American Plate overriding the Pacific Plate, episodes of volcanic igneous activity persisted.[6] In addition, small fragments of the oceanic and continental lithosphere called terranes created the North Cascades about 50 million years ago.[6]

During the Pleistocene period dating back over two million years ago, glaciation advancing and retreating repeatedly scoured the landscape leaving deposits of rock debris.[6] The U-shaped cross section of the river valleys is a result of recent glaciation. Uplift and faulting in combination with glaciation have been the dominant processes which have created the tall peaks and deep valleys of the North Cascades area.

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 "Pinnacle Peak, Washington". Peakbagger.com.
  2. ↑ Pinnacle Peak listsofjohn.com
  3. ↑ "Pinnacle Peak". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey, United States Department of the Interior. Retrieved 2019-08-10.
  4. 1 2 Beckey, Fred W. (1996). Cascade alpine guide, Volume 2: Stevens Pass to Rainy Pass (2nd ed.). ISBN 978-0-89886-838-8.
  5. ↑ Beckey, p. 16
  6. 1 2 3 4 Kruckeberg, Arthur (1991). The Natural History of Puget Sound Country. University of Washington Press.
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